The Benefits of Accreditation
Angela Thomas
Marion Technical College
The Benefits of Accreditation
Although the process of becoming accredited can be a lengthy and complex process for
medical facilities, the benefits are well worth the effort. Accreditation is a formal process by
which a recognized body certifies that a health care organization meets certain predetermined
and published standards (Healthcare Accreditation Resources, 2014). The standards are
established by the accrediting body, enabling a healthcare organization to be compared to other
facilities all across the country. Originally, accreditation was a voluntary process, but now many
states require accreditation for ambulatory surgical facilities and office based surgeries to ensure
that the most rigorous standards of care are observed.
Among the most important benefits of accreditation for medical practices is the quality of
care that is required and the image that creates in the community. Because patient safety and
quality of care issues are of prime importance in the Joint Commission’s standards and
initiatives, accreditation helps organize and strengthen patient safety efforts. This in turn makes
a strong statement to the community about an organization’s dedication to provide the highest
quality services. Such recognition can provide a practice with a competitive edge in the
marketplace and improve the ability to secure new business. Similarly, standards that focus on
state-of-the-art improvement strategies help organizations reduce the risk of error and eliminate
low quality care, which impacts risk management and risk reduction (What Is Accreditation?).
All of these factors together will enhance staff recruitment and development, helping an
organization to attract the best personnel and give them resources to develop their skills and
knowledge.
Another important category of benefits that comes with accreditation involves
recognition by other professional agencies. In some states, laws require accreditation for certain
kinds of medical facilities, meaning that they do not have to meet any other standards or
inspections beyond that in order to be known as a high quality provider of care. Some health
care organizations are also able to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid certification without
undergoing a separate government inspection if they are accredited (What Is Accreditation?).
This eases the facility’s burden of excessive regulatory burdens in order to qualify for critical
government recognition. In addition, accreditation is rapidly becoming a prerequisite in some
areas for reimbursement by insurance companies and for participation in managed care plans.
Finally, accreditation can help an organization develop and maintain efficient and
effective internal operations procedures. The process of preparing for an accreditation survey
guides an organization’s quality improvement structures and provides a framework for
organizational structure and management. The accrediting body is able to provide professional
counsel and advice as well as educational services to staff during the recognition process so that
the organization continues to grow and learn. For example, the Joint Commission offers the
Targeted Solutions Tool, an interactive web-based program that allows accredited organizations
to measure their performance and help them find customized solutions for challenging health
care problems (What Is Accreditation?). In this way, accredited healthcare organizations can
ensure that they are delivering the best quality care while at the same time developing their staff
and transforming their internal structures in a way that works best for them and their
communities.
References
Healthcare Accreditation Resources. (2014). Retrieved from
www.healthcareaccreditationresources.com:
http://www.healthcareaccreditationresources.com/faq.html
What Is Accreditation? (n.d.). Retrieved from www.jointcommission.org:
www.jointcommission.org/accreditation/accreditation_main.aspx
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